Hachrazah 5769 Tamuz 9

From June 30 - July 3, 2009, representatives of the Jerusalem Court for Bnei Noah met with Mr. Adnan Oktar, also known as Harun Yahya, as a practicing Muslim. Two statements were prepared, one from the Jerusalem Court, one from Mr. Oktar.

The purpose of the statement of the Jerusalem Court for Bnei Noah was to establish the Basis in Jewish Law for Jewish-Muslim Dialogue.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Please read these statements carefully. WorldNetDaily published a confusing article[1] that mixes several unrelated efforts including the "multi-faith Temple" of musician Yoav Frankel[2], and previous statements by Mr. Oktar for rebuilding "Solomon's Temple". The Jerusalem court has no connection with, and does not endorse these other efforts. The Jerusalem court has not reviewed or given any opinion on these proposals. The discussions between Mr. Oktar and the Court have been limited to the nature of Islamic-Jewish relations as based on the teachings of Bnei Noah.

Why are we here

1) We have come here, at the gracious invitation of Mr. Adnan Oktar, otherwise known as Harun Yahya, to look for leadership in the Islamic community. Over the centuries there have rarely been sincere leaders who fought for truth and understanding and against corruption and disbelief. We have heard that Harun Yahya is leading an intellectual struggle against atheist ideologies to increase belief and end corruption and atheism in the world. We understand that together we are looking forward to the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zephania:For then will I turn clear language to the Nations, that they may all call upon the name of G-d, to serve Him shoulder to shoulder.[3]

We understand that Harun Yahya, as we also, looks forward to the time when the Children of Israel become more devout, worshiping as G-d commanded, in the land G-d commanded. ”Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto G-d, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years."[4]

Our common agenda is clear: we live in a time of conflict, atheism, extreme fanaticism and extreme laxity. Righteous Jews and non-Jews must oppose this decline. It is the obligation of each and every individual to follow the commandments of G-d, sincerely and with perfect faith. Conflict and atheism are best addressed by leadership. From time to time G-d chooses leaders, and we look to these leaders to shepherd their people, to return them to the covenant G-d has made with all mankind.

Limits of dialogue with other religions

2) We do not believe in what is generally called "interfaith dialogue"; as Rabbi Soloveitchik said, "… faith reflects the intimate, the private, the paradoxically inexpressible cravings of the individual for and his linking up with his Maker. It reflects the … faith of a particular community which is totally incomprehensible to the man of a different faith community."[5] Jews and the righteous of the nations have different missions to fill in this world, and thus it is natural that they have different perceptions and different points of view. It should be so. Yet even if we cannot fully understand the "other", we are taught that all proper religion has a common foundation. At that foundation we are "co-religionists" in bringing all mankind closer to G-d. Once that foundation is secure, there is room to find tolerance, even a kind of brotherhood, for people whose customs and traditions are fundamentally incomprehensible to us.[6]

Working relationship, the Seven Mitzvos of Bnei Noah

3) There is an original, uncorrupted monotheistic faith of Adam, Noah, Abraham and others. At some point, mankind fell away, and G-d began sending prophets to bring His revelations to the people. All children are born bound to this universal faith, but later they may take on the customs and traditions and religion of their parents. This universal faith is known by several names,[7] Jews know this faith as the faith of the Children of Noah. It is delineated by seven laws that are known as the Noahide laws because[8] they were expounded to Noah after the flood.[9] Later, as the world became more corrupted, the Almighty saw fit to give the Torah at Sinai to the people of Israel, to teach and preserve these laws for the benefit of the whole world These laws do not constitute a religion, but set a universal [minimal] standard of proper religion and embody the truths that the peoples of the world must come to recognize and share.

These laws are:

Belief in one G-d - expressed by the universal prohibition of idolatry;

Honoring G-d, as expressed by the universal prohibition of blasphemy,

Honoring all human life, as expressed by the universal prohibition of murder,

The sanctity of family relationships, as expressed by the universal prohibitions on sexual intercourse with one’s mother, with one’s father’s ex wife or widow, with one’s maternal sister, with a married woman, homosexual intercourse, bestiality[10]

Honoring private possessions, as expressed by the universal prohibition of theft,

Honoring G-d's Creation, and prevention of cruelty to animals, as expressed by the universal prohibition of “ever min hahai”: eating flesh which was cut from a live animal;

Maintenance of social order supported by rule of law as expressed by the universal requirement to establish of Courts of Justice

We wish to add another understanding, expounded by Rav Nissim Gaon, which is perhaps more axiomatic than these laws: that Man behave morally and rationally, thus a nation’s understandings of what is moral and G-dly is binding on its people, in all societies.

For Muslim-Jewish relations, we need to emphasize Truth and Justice

4) The seventh law of Noah, "creating courts of justice". The Jewish concept of a “Court of Justice” is more than the name in English implies. The function of a Court within a society is to ensure that injustice is not perpetrated. This entails not merely responding to the claims of one person against another, but also in ensuring routine day-to-day justice, for instance: in the field of commerce, some of the functions of the Court are to ensure that all weights are correct, that money is not counterfeited, and similar attacks on commercial life; maintenance of public order. Perhaps the most important function of the Courts is – dissemination of knowledge and education.

In Jewish law, the following expectations are made of any court, and are implicit in the Noahide law on justice:[11]

a. "...to appoint judges and officers in each and every community." Positive 176.[12]
b. "...to treat the litigants equally before the law." Positive 177.
c. "...to inquire diligently into the testimony of a witness." Positive 179.
d. "...against the wanton miscarriage of justice by the court." Negative 273.
e. "...against the judge accepting a bribe or gift from a litigant." Negative 274.
f. "...against the judge showing marks of honor to but one litigant." Negative 275.
g. "...against the judge acting in fear of a litigant's threats." Negative 276.
h. "...against the judge, out of compassion, favoring a poor litigant." Negative 277.
i. "...against the judge discriminating against the litigant because he is a sinner." Negative 278.
j. "...against the judge, out of softness, putting aside the punishment of a mauler or killer." Negative 279.
k. "...against the judge discriminating against a stranger or an orphan." Negative 280.
l. "...against the judge hearing one litigant in the absence of the other." Negative 281.
m. "...against appointing a judge who lacks knowledge of the Law." Negative 284.
n. "...against the court killing an innocent man." Negative 289.
o. "...against incrimination by circumstantial evidence." Negative 290.
p. "...against punishing for a crime committed under duress." Negative 294.
q. "...that the court is to administer the death penalty." Positive 226.
r. "...against anyone taking the law into his own hands to kill the perpetrator of a capital crime." Negative 292.
s. "...to testify in court." Positive 178.
t. "...against testifying falsely." Negative 285.

One factor that is fanning the winds of hatred and violence are falsehoods. Religious courts such as the Sanhedrin, and the equivalent courts in every society, must gain a reputation both among their own community and internationally for properly collecting testimony, seeking out evidence, and judging true judgments - knowing the courts will be held more accountable than anyone else before G-d.

Justice at the top, and education to bring it to the people

5) Haraun Yahya has spoken much about anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is really a special case of a larger problem of bigotry and prejudice. It is related to justice, truth and the proper functioning of the court system as explained above, but it is also related to the need for education to dispel bigotry and prejudice. And is part of the religious duty of every person, and is expressed in vision of Zephania:For then will I turn clear language to the Nations etc.[13]
The nation’s religious courts must take the lead in ascertaining the truth during conflicts, since without the blessing of G-d the secular courts have failed humanity, but it is education in the school and home that must pass down this vital concept to our children.

Attitudes and values are learned primarily by experience. Children learn attitudes first from their parents, their siblings, their family, and as their world of experience expand – so do the influences on their perception of reality and of other people. As Maimonides wrote: "The nature of man is to be pulled by his temperaments and actions after his friends, and to accustom himself to the customs of the people of his country. Therefore, one has to associate with righteous people and to sit always amongst learned people, so that one will learn from their actions."[14] We must make every effort to repair the malfunctions of modern society, in their thoughts and actions.

Another – often dominant – influence is the mass media. The media are a tremendously important source of social learning about prejudice. Members of different faiths have typically been misrepresented on television, in news, in popular magazines, and in movies.

People from Indonesia to Malawi hate Jews. Why? Because they have heard that the Israelis have performed such “evil deeds”. Much of this misinformation has been fabricated for political purposes, but today there is no credible court that both Muslims and Jews will give credence to. Worse, for millions of people today, the judge is the Television, the jury is the media ratings, and “truth” is relative to pronounced according to what the people (or big business) want. This is another form of "anti-Semitism" that concerns us greatly.

What must be done

6) Our struggle should be against denial of Truth, especially against atheism, not against other believers. And even that struggle should be one emphasizing kindness and compassion knowing that most people today have lost their way. The prophet Isaiah said:All that G-d created in His world, and thus bears the Name of G-d.[15]
All creation has no purpose other than to serve the glorification of G-d. So It is with this in mind that we are gladly partners with all people of all nations, who teach Truth, Morals, Justice and Peace, in the service of G-d.

Despite the urgent need for cooperation, certain circles are inciting conflict. The success of this incitement needs to be understood, not only in terms of materialism but also in terms of human emotions and sociological interactions, because without understanding at a very basic level it is hardly likely that a successful strategy be developed to counteract the incitement – or to address the factors which are perceived as excuses for the incitement. Without understanding the factors exacerbating conflict, it will hardly be possible to strengthen the dialogue and cooperation between civilizations.

Today, many ideological struggles continue to divide the world. However, the major ideological conflict is not between religions, but between people who believe in Truth, in G-d's existence and in the need for cooperation, on the one hand, and on the other hand people who deny Truth, who deny Holiness: - the unbelievers. There is only one way to defeat the alliance of the various groups of unbelievers on an ideological level: to discover all the economic, psychological and sociological forces which power this behavior, and to find a combination of economic, psychological and sociological forces to counteract and eradicate the negative and destructive influences of anti-religious materialism and further the cause of a society dominated by morality, happiness, tranquility, security, and prosperity. This will be done by forming an alliance of all conscientious people, namely, the righteous among Christians and Muslims, along with devout Jews, who will come together and unite in this common cause.

Plan of peace

7) Out of a sense of collective responsibility for world peace and for all humanity we have found it timely to call to the World and exclaim that there is a way out for all peoples. It is etched in a call to all humanity: We are all the sons of one father, the descendants of Adam, and all humanity is but a single family. Peace among Nations will be achieved through building the House of G-d, where all peoples will serve as foreseen by King Solomon in his prayers at the dedication of the First Holy Temple. Come let us love and respect one another, and love and honor and hold our heavenly Father in awe. Let us establish a house of prayer in His name in order to worship and serve Him together, for the sake of His great compassion. He surely does not want the blood of His creations spilled, but prefers love and peace among all mankind. We pray to the Almighty Creator, that you harken to our Call. Together - each according to his or her ability - we shall work towards the building of the House of Prayer for All Nations on the Temple Mount in peace and mutual understanding.[16]

↑Rabbi Aaron Lichtenstein in his book " "The Seven Laws of Noah", New York: Rabbi Jacob Joseph School Press, 1981" discussing the Seven Laws as Categories and defines which of the 613 laws, based on Maimonides' Book of Divine Commandments, would fall under the Noahide Imperative of Legal System and therefore apply to Noahides.

↑The positive and negative commands numbers are references to Maimonides' Book of Divine Commandments, which lists all 613 commandments for Jews

Replies of Mr. Adnan Oktar (Harun Yahya)

Replies of Mr. Adnan Oktar (Harun Yahya) to the questions presented by Sanhedrin on 1st of July, 2009

What kind of leader is Mr. Adnan Oktar?

1) Does Mr. Oktar speak for himself only or is he a leader of all those who seek peace and religious cooperation? What kind of leader is he?

I am a believer, a Muslim brother of yours, who seeks Allah’s approval, strives to live in the manner that will be most pleasing to Allah and hopes for Allah’s mercy and Paradise. I try to be a good, genuine Muslim. I have no intention regarding the future of the region or to be a leader in political terms. I say what I know and believe to be true according to the Qur’an and the practices of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). I call on people to be honest, to love and fear Allah, to be loving and sincere. I want people to be happy and live in beauty, plenty and abundance. I therefore tell them about Allah’s love, depth of faith, true love, true devotion and moral virtues. But I have no ambition to direct or lead them. If they want my spiritual support in order to live by the love, brotherhood and peace I describe in my statements, then I shall happily help with my ideas and opinions.

How does Islam view religious Jews?

2) How does Islam view religious Jews? Is it true that there numerous examples in the Qur'an and Haddith speaking about Jews in a bad way? How can Islam work with another faith?

The words, practices or statements of people who have no love for the children of Abraham (peace be upon him), the descendants of the prophets, are no measure for us. Jews are spotless people descended from the prophets. And we love the Jews for their faith in Allah, devotion to the Prophet Moses (pbuh), and their devotion to and scrupulousness concerning their faith. The only criterion for us is the pronouncements of the Qur’an and the practices of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). We all believe in the one Allah, have the same conceptions of what is lawful and unlawful, love the same prophets, are all descended from the Prophet Abraham (pbuh), love and fear Allah and strive to earn His approval, mercy and Paradise. Allah reveals in the Qur’an that the Jews are the People of the Book. Muslims can marry women from the People of the Book, eat meat prepared by them and eat food they have cooked. These things are very important. In other words, according to the Qur’an there is a very closely inter-related life. That is how it was in the time of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). One of our Prophet’s (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) wives was Jewish. Jews and Muslims in Medina lived together as brothers. They enjoyed excellent neighborly and commercial relations. They traded together. Our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) pronounced on them according to their own laws. They were all delighted with our Prophet’s (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) love, justice and compassion.

In one verse of the Qur’an Allah says, "... We have appointed a law and a practice for every one of you. Had Allah willed, He would have made you a single community, but He wanted to test you regarding what has come to you. So compete with each other in doing good. Every one of you will return to Allah... " (Surat al-Ma’ida, 48). The way that Allah has preserved Judaism is a blessing and has much wisdom in it. Had Allah so wished He could have created a single Ummah, but our Lord does not do that, and there is much wisdom in that, insha’Allah. The way that Jews have preserved their laws for thousands of years, remained loyal to the Prophet Musa and demonstrated great scrupulousness concerning their faith is very delightful. We want Jews to be more devout, to live their faith as freely as possible. That will make us happy. It is out of the question for us not to collaborate together at a time when atheists, materialists and the irreligious are waging such a powerful campaign against believers. That would be to serve satan’s ends, may Allah forbid. Of course we shall work together, tell people of the existence and oneness of Allah and call them to His love with love and affection. We shall expose the insoluble dilemmas of Darwinism. What could be easier than for us to collaborate and be friends? We have many common values, so how can we not work together?

Briefly explanation of the Islamic idea of protection

3) Briefly explanation of the Islamic idea of protection. Does it necessarily imply a loss of sovereignty?

On the contrary, the protection the Qur’an provides the People of the Book strengthens their existence and places their rights to exist under total protection. Muslims feel no happiness at Jews losing their sovereignty, lands or the territories they live in. What will make Muslims happy is to ensure that Jews can freely perform the requirements of their religion in the lands of their forefathers in the manner they choose and to enable them to live in an ease and comfort they may never perhaps have known before. The significance of the protection provided by Islam is the provision of peace and security to Jews, Christians and innocent people holding different ideas and beliefs, by undertaking service, suffering and difficulties. To try to annihilate, intimidate or repress them is satanic behavior. It is incompatible with the Qur’an and the Sunnah of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Our responsibility to Allah is to bring about peace, calm and reconciliation by acting with love, compassion, affection, modesty, justice and sincerity.

Is anti-Semitism un-Islamic?

4) Is anti-Semitism un-Islamic? How can we spread truth and avoiding slander about other believers?

Of course, hatred or anger toward the line of the Prophet Abraham is completely unacceptable. The Prophet Abraham is our ancestor, and the Jews are our brothers. We want the descendants of the Prophet Abraham to live in the easiest, pleasantest and most peaceful manner. We want them to be free to perform their religious obligations, to live as they wish in the lands of their forebears and to frequently remember Allah in comfort and security. The People of the Book are entrusted to us by Allah, and the Jews’ devotion to the Prophet Musa and the Prophet Sulayman and their respect for the Prophet Davud are all factors that increase our love and compassion for them many times over. It is most important for believers in the one Allah to love one another at a time when atheism and irreligion are so widespread and when Darwinism and materialism are propagandized so blatantly. We therefore need to create opportunities to become better acquainted with one another. Let our Jewish brothers come and be our guests, and let our Muslim brothers be their guests in Israel. The majority of people may not be aware of our common beliefs and values, and these must be known. We need to demonstrate these. Pork is unlawful for Jews and for us. Both we and Jews have a duty to rule justly. Theft, adultery and murder are unlawful for our Jewish brothers and for us. Jews believe in the one Allah and we believe in the one Allah. These things need to be well described. If the origins of our friendship and brotherhood are well described and emphasized, then no problems will remain, insha’Allah. Conflict, war and feelings of hatred and revenge are all a filthy ruse of satan’s. As sincere believers we will strongly avoid such pollution, insha’Allah. We will love one another, be forgiving and treat one another with compassion. There is no dispute that love cannot resolve, insha’Allah. If we look through the eyes of love and sincerity, Allah will manifest the solution. But if we approach matters through a satanic perspective of conflict far removed from human love, then everything will seem diametrically opposed. Allah may then give a very different response.

What is the role of education in the Middle East?

5) What is the role of education in the Middle East? How can it help to dispel bigotry and prejudice, the resources needed...?

Ignorance is an important problem for all societies. There are ignorant Christians who look at the Jews very differently, and there may also be such people among Muslims. In the same way, there may be Jews who are unacquainted with or ill-informed about Islam. The only way of eliminating these false perspectives is to keep describing true religious moral values with love and kindness. To describe them patiently, moderately and with gentle words. We want young Palestinians to be more religious, young Israelis to be more religious, and we want Christians in the region to be more religious. The only solution is true religious devotion.

But we need to approach matters with love under all circumstances. In the Qur’an Allah says: "A good action and a bad action are not the same. Repel the bad with something better and, if there is enmity between you and someone else, he will be like a bosom friend.” (Surah Fussilat, 34)

Intellectual activity is highly important. The internet, which Allah has bestowed on believers in the End Times, is a great blessing and needs to be put to good use. We must engage in activity that constantly reaffirms friendship and brotherhood through writings, books, documentary films and web site pages, that sets out our common beliefs and values and that is instrumental in reinforcing faith in Allah. The greatest responsibility here falls to sincere believers. Someone who loves Allah also loves His manifestations, and feels compassion and love for them all. Nobody who loves Allah will ever resort to violence, but is always pleasant and lovable. It is honesty that matters for us. Allah tells us in the Qur’an that He will lead His sincere servants to salvation. Insha’Allah we will be as sincere as we can, love one another as much as we can and be understanding of one another. We will insist on peace and brotherhood, insha’Allah. If we act in the knowledge that we are all brothers then there will be no need for those walls in Israel. Palestinians and Jews will both be able to relax. There will be a stupendous wealth in the whole region. There will be free trade and movement. Just as it was in the past. It will then be very easy to relive the plenty and beauty of the old days, insha’Allah.

How do you describe the believers true struggle?

6) How do you describe the believers true struggle? against atheism, Darwinism, etc...

The whole world is literally under the control of a Darwinist, materialist dictatorship. Teachers at universities are unable to see that evolution is a lie and students cannot say a word of criticism of evolution in their exams, while conferences about Darwinism are even held in the Vatican. This is a clear sign of how grim the state of affairs is. Devout Jews, Muslims and Christians are oppressed everywhere in the world and unable to live according to their faiths, and in many places they are forbidden to remember Allah at all. And materialists and atheists are doing this together, they are in a total alliance against believers. Under these conditions, the alliance of true believers must also be a very powerful one. If we collaborate closely together then, insha’Allah, all of Asia, all the Middle East and the whole world will enter a perfect age of peace and ease. But of course Muslims and Jews, and also Christians, must ally themselves together. In fact, if the will exists the world can be made a perfect place in a week, a month, or at most a year. En excellent situation can be formed very quickly. But the whole problem lies in putting it into practice, practicalities, a climate of security, a climate of sincerity and fervent love. Let us tell young Israelis at universities of the existence and oneness of Allah. Let us describe the invalidity of Darwinism. Let us describe the invalidity of materialism. Let us tell young people in Palestine of the danger of atheism. Let us describe how Darwinism has collapsed and the true moral values of the Qur’an. We want young people in Israel to be more devout, to fear Allah more and be better natured. We want young Palestinians to be more devout, to love Allah more and to be more virtuous. We want Christians to be more devout. We can do excellent work together in that area. We can hold joint conferences and seminars and bring young people together. Let us bring devout people in Israel’s big cities together and have dialogue. Especially, let us totally eliminate materialism from Israel and Palestine. Let us strive to that end. Let us strive to make young people more respectful of the old and to live by traditional Jewish good manners and moral values. Let us hold meetings in Palestine. Let us have meetings with leading believers to make the two sides friends and brothers. There are many devout people who advocate friendship and brotherhood. Let us act together with them. The important thing for the people of the region is to live side by side as brothers and in peace, and to be able to worship as servants of Allah. That is what matters for us. Insha’Allah, atheism can have no effect once we have a generation that is well-informed against Darwinism, highly cultured, very devout, that fears Allah and has a strong love for Him and whose members love and respect one another.

What is the Turkish Islamic Union?

7) What is the Turkish Islamic Union? How can it help Jews? How is a vision for peace?

The Turkish-Islamic Union we have in mind is a union of love, friendship and brotherhood. A union in which everyone can live according to his own beliefs, where there is freedom of ideas and worship, a most modern, enlightened, peace-loving, reconciliatory and constructive one. A union in which all states maintain their own existence, but in which they co-operate on economic, military and cultural matters, in education and in commerce. A union ruled by beauty and aesthetics. The establishment of this union under Turkish leadership is essential for the salvation of the Middle East and the whole world. The moderate, loving, democratic and peaceful conception in Turkey is an excellent model for the Islamic world. The West also supports and likes this model. The Turkish people’s love for Jews, the understanding they show to Christians and the way they have always protected Jews throughout history is very significant. And Turkey’s approach will determine that of the entire Islamic world. For example, it is impossible for Iran to adopt an attitude that disagrees with Turkey’s. Iran, Pakistan or Egypt cannot hold any ideas that conflict with Turkey’s. That is not possible. Turkey has a hidden position of leadership. It has a hidden psychological effect. There is a very strong public view in Muslim countries of Turkey as an older brother, a leader and protector. For that reason, Turkey is in the position of a natural leader of the Turkish-Islamic Union. Its being so is the most rational, logical and reasonable thing.

If such a union is established, then by Allah’s leave Muslims, Jews and Christians will all be at ease. All fears and concerns will come to an end. Art will develop as far as possible, technology will make rapid progress and there will be great wealth and abundance. Conflict and fighting will come to a complete end. Once the Turkish-Islamic Union is founded, Jews will be able to live freely in those lands without the need for walls. Palestinians will be able to move freely, trade and worship in freedom. We all of us, Christians, Jews and Muslims, will remember Allah, give thanks to Allah, increase our joy and fervor many times over, and the whole world will be like a place of festival, insha’Allah.